Page 1 of Dragon Unleashed

Chapter One: Lorelei

All I have to do is not die. Survive the Virrey, and not die. Simple.

Survive, not die.

I hum the words. It’s the theme tune to my life, not just tonight. Tonight though, is a special kind of hell. A ball thrown by Virrey Cuelebre. A joint celebration of my birthday and his son’s allegiance. An introduction to the elite of Venez.

Our debut.

Chewing on my lip, I stare out the stone-arched window across the immaculate lawns. You’d never guess that behind the stunning, rose-smothered walls are the stinking, starving citizens of Venez. Everything here is so perfectly beautiful, it’s creepy.

Just like the man who owns the place. But he’s still my sponsor for Fates Academy. I need him. And he needs me, apparently. The thought makes my skin prickle.

I scuff my shoe against an—I shit you not—fully armored statue, stopping only when I hear Naeve’s irritated tut. From across the oak-lined dressing room she catches my eye and shakes her head.

She’s stunning. Her jade evening gown fits perfectly, very different to the granny-level floral tops she’s normally so comfy in. And the way her hair is caught up highlights her long neck. Elegant. Refined. Nothing like the scraggly bun she always sports at the academy.

Maids flutter around, tweaking her hair, finalizing her makeup, and sheletsthem. Just watching them paw at her makes my skin crawl. She’s used to it, but by all the hells I’m not. I’ve got two hands for Hades’ sake. I snarl at the girl trying to flatten out the creases on my dress and throw myself into the chair beside Naeve.

“It’s not polite to threaten my staff, little girl.” The voice comes out of nowhere and I whirl in my seat.

In full military regalia, the Virrey’s imposing figure blocks the doorway. “You’re dismissed.” He flicks a finger at the maids. They scramble to leave the room, heads ducked, white as ghosts.

“I thought I’d see how you were doing.” His smile is plastered on, sickly sweet, and utterly false.

“Fine.” I sink back down, keeping him in the corner of my vision, my shoulders hunching as he strides farther into the room. The room is suddenly too small, the walls pressing in.

“Just so we’re clear, Lorelei, you will be on your best behavior tonight. You will not slander me in front of my esteemed guests. I trust Naeve has instructed you on how to conduct yourself?”

My nostrils flare. Just because I’m from the Venez slums doesn’t mean I can’t be civilized.

Naeve grasps my hand and squeezes. She nods at the Virrey like a bobblehead doll.

“One other little thing we need to discuss…” He sighs and steeples his fingers together. “But I suppose we can do that later. Just remember I pay your way at Fates. Disrespect me and I will withdraw my funding.”

He’s got me over a barrel. But it’s not like I want to embarrass myself anyway. Making an ass of myself in front of Farrell and Zephyr? No thanks. I’ll be damned if they see me as the street kid who doesn’t know how to behave among all their posh friends. Unclenching my fists, I nod slowly.

An engine roars and the Virrey’s eyes light up. “You’ll excuse me, girls. I have a guest I simplymustattend to.”

Naeve and I sit in uncomfortable silence for a few minutes. Why the hell was this a good idea again? Virrey has some messed-up plan for me.

Yet here I am.

Satyr shit. There’s something wrong with me.

The door creaks and an older man in uniform sticks his head around it. “It’s time, ladies.”

What is he, a soldier, a butler, a manservant? What am I supposed to call him? Jeeves? I glance sideways, watching Naeve. She stands, brushes invisible dirt from her dress, and nods curtly.

“Silas. Farrell and Zephyr are to accompany us.”

Silas. Well, at least I have a name now.

Silas shifts from foot to foot, before sidling forward and offering me his elbow. “The Virrey had Master Cuelebre and Master Engill descend earlier. Sanders and I will escort you.”

I step toward him and his nostrils flare; he’s barely disguising his disgust. Guess he’s not a fan.

Another man with military decoration on his immaculate jacket steps into our room. I don’t recognize the insignia, but the guy’s sheer bulk is impressive. He’s imposing, with a sharp jawline and gray peppering his sideburns. Great, I get the white-haired grump and Naeve gets the silver fox.

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